Ask the Pack: Outdoor Griddles

[Hugh's Burner Phone]

What's the best outdoor griddle out there and any to avoid at all costs? Been looking at a 36" Blackstone but there appear to be several models of those and having a hard time narrowing in on one model or if I should look at another brand. Is a steel top better than a coated top?

 

[PBRME]

I’m looking for one also. Watched too many Sam the Cooking Guy videos, and want an EVO. Not spending $4k so Blackstone it is.

I’ve narrowed it down to 2. Both Walmart exclusives. The one with the removable lid that hangs on the back, and the one with the hinged lid/air fryer.

Leaning more towards the air fryer combo because I want the hinged lid.

 

[Rezpup]

Love my 36” Blackstone. You can do bacon & eggs without that smell in the house all morning, steaks are awesome on it bc the sear is so much better than a grill.

Hibachi has been fun to learn how to do as well.

Burgers are great on it but I have to do burgers with the lid/cover accessory to get them cooked in the middle the way I like it without charring them.

 

[Jeffreauxdawg]

How is it to keep it clean/season? Every time I would see one at somebody's house, it was either dried out and rusty or nasty from dust/dirt/pollen in the air that stuck to the grease.

It would seem you have to clean it well and season it every use. Then put a good cover on it.

 

[Raiderdawg.sixpack]

I love my Blackstone griddle.

As someone else said, it can rust if left outside, even with their brand soft cover. I actually now have both the steel cover and soft cover. Steel keeps rain off and soft keeps dirt/dust.

That said, if you season it right to start and keep water off it either by where you store it or by the correct covers, it will last fine.

 

[birdawg]

I have the 36" blackstone and love it. The key to keeping it clean is the initial seasoning process which involves turning all burners on high and applying cooking oil until dry and repeating 4-5 times. I probably used half a tank of propane for the initial seasoning.

After each use, squirt water on the surface and scrape with a scraper into the tray and finally wipe with a paper towel. I've never had an issue with stuff sticking at all after 2 years. If food does start sticking, I'll do the initial seasoning process again.

 

[Xenomorph]

Letting it get rained on is bad for a number of reasons. It’ll rust in a heartbeat and the rain will spatter grease all around the footprint of the griddle and before you know it you’re having to pressure wash the entire area. I keep mine covered but my patio needs washing right now from the buildup around it.

Outdoor griddles are great but they’re a lot more demanding from a maintenance standpoint than a regular grill.

 

[Hugh's Burner Phone]

Is the Blackstone head and shoulders above the store brand at academy?

 

[mcdawg22]

Love my 36” Blackstone. You can do bacon & eggs without that smell in the house all morning, steaks are awesome on it bc the sear is so much better than a grill.

Hibachi has been fun to learn how to do as well.

Burgers are great on it but I have to do burgers with the lid/cover accessory to get them cooked in the middle the way I like it without charring them.

Who the hell doesn’t want bacon smell in their house!?!

 

[Jeffreauxdawg]

Anyone that lived above Starkville Cafe. It was not pleasant, but on the upside, when girls came over it didn't smell like farts and dirty clothes

 

[HotMop]

I have the 18" portable Blackstone for camping, it's outstanding for ease and portability. Can cook anything on it.

 

[HotMop]

Anyone that lived above Starkville Cafe. It was not pleasant, but on the upside, when girls came over it didn't smell like farts and dirty clothes

Wait, there's apartments above Starkville Cafe?

 

[Jeffreauxdawg]

Wait, there's apartments above Starkville Cafe?

Yes. Sublet one for a few months. Right above the kitchen. Bacon grease seeping through the floorboards.

 

[Rezpup]

How is it to keep it clean/season? Every time I would see one at somebody's house, it was either dried out and rusty or nasty from dust/dirt/pollen in the air that stuck to the grease.

It would seem you have to clean it well and season it every use. Then put a good cover on it.

It’s imperative to (after you use the scraper with water) to pour some canola or vegetable oil on it and wipe it down with paper towel to leave a fine layer of oil on it. Then cover it with the blackstone lid made for the griddle.

then it will always be ready for the next use and I always keep mine outside but under the overhang.